As of the 2025 South Carolina College-and-Career-Ready Assessments, just 60% of 4th graders in Charleston County School District meet or exceed grade level expectations in math. By 8th grade, that number falls to 45%, leaving the majority students unprepared for high school coursework and limiting their postsecondary and career options.
Research shows that concrete, targeted experiences with numbers in the early years can close conceptual gaps and prepare students for algebra, a graduation requirement (Kathy Richardson, Thomas Carpenter). Tutoring has been found to deliver significant gains in rigorous, recent studies (Pellegrini M. 2018, Nickow A. 2020, Guryan J. 2021) and was recommended in the January 2021 report by the SC Education Oversight Committee. Teachers and families have limited capacity to provide one-on-one academic attention, but volunteer tutors can help.
Heart Math Tutoring gives young students successful experiences in math through one-on-one tutoring during the school day delivered by supervised volunteers. In each school, 50 students in grades K-5 receive tutoring twice per week for 30 minutes. HMT’s activity-based, structured curriculum and on-site support from staff during tutoring enables volunteers to be effective with a commitment of one hour per week and minimizes day-to-day work for school staff.
Heart Math Tutoring operates in partnership with Charleston County School District.
2025/26 School Year:
In partnership with Charleston-area philanthropists and leaders, HMT expanded outside of Charlotte to the Charleston area during the 2021/22 school year and has grown to support 180+ elementary students across 5 CCSD partner schools. In 2025/26:
- Community volunteers provided 2,550 hours of 1:1 tutoring, helping students build their foundational math skills and increase their academic confidence.
- 97% of 1st-5th grade Charleston students who completed the program showed growth on pre/post assessments that meets the targets set by elementary math specialists at UNC-Charlotte and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
- 96% of kindergarten students showed growth in 1+ concept areas.
- 90% of teachers reported that student confidence and/or enthusiasm towards math increased because of Heart Math Tutoring.
Deep presence in partner schools:
- 50 students per school, grades K – 5
- Progress reports updating teachers and families on student progress
- Family education events prior to Winter Holiday Break and Summer Break
- Resources provided to help families support student learning, including take-home kits, newsletters, and a resource bank